Finger and Baker inspire late heroics

The Ocean City Barons Reserves (0-1-1) gave their supporters a nervous final ten minutes during Wednesday night's USL Super-20 game against the Reading Rage (1-0-1). The Rage held a two goal lead going into the latter stages of the game only to have the points snatched away from them by the home side with goals from Andrew Finger and Richard Baker. ATCO, NJ (June 14, 2006) - The Ocean City Barons Reserves gave their supporters a nervous final ten minutes during Wednesday night's USL Super-20 game against the Reading Rage. The game was a rematch of last week's game in Reading that ended with the three points going to the Rage.

The game began evenly as both sides probed for chances. However, the first half ended with very few clear cut opportunities for either team. It wasn't until the second half that the game sprang to life. Reading took the lead after a mistake on a goal kick by Kyle Crego, Reading's striker pounced on the error, getting in behind the Barons, followed by a neat finish into the bottom corner.

The Rage continued to look dangerous as the Barons were trying to find their rhythm going forward. They further enhanced their lead when Crego tipped a powerful shot from the Rage onto the post. The Rage were the quickest to react, tapping home the rebound.

Losing 2-0 at home against a strong Rage team, the Barons looked dead and buried going into last ten minutes, until Andrew Finger hit a shot from 30 yards out that dipped just under the cross bar giving the Rage keeper no chance. That touch of brilliance from Finger prompted an all-out Barons attack, but it came down to a set peice in the 88th minute for the Barons to draw level.

From 25 yards out, Finger tapped the ball to Richard Baker who had his shot deflected by a Rage defender. The deflection left Reading's keeper going the wrong way and the game was all square at 2-2.

Not to be outdone the Rage fought back brilliantly. Straight from the restart, Reading drove upfield and won a corner on the left. It was swung in, then headed downward toward goal, only for Jason Depree to go sprawling across his line to somehow paw it away from goal.